Picobello

Anyone traveling to Singapore from other Southeast Asian countries will first be impressed by the incredible cleanliness of the city. Sparkling sidewalks, licked facades and parks manicured to perfection characterize the cityscape. The smallest imperfection, such as some peeling paint on the boundary walls of an upcoming Formula 1 World Championship, is meticulously removed. After all, the overall picture with the famous Marina Bay Sands building in the background has to shine picobello in the camera images of the car race. Shortly though, during my walks through this rich metropolis, I missed the charm that I had begun to appreciate in Indonesian and Malaysian cities. What I probably missed were all the signs of life and wear and tear from the people who inhabited or visited this place.

Singapore (Singapore), September 2013